Sabarimala Temple: Sacred Journey, Traditions and Controversies

The Sabarimala Shree Dharma Sastha Temple known to be as Sabarimala Temple which is situated in the western Ghats of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. The is a symbol of unshakable faith, deep rooted tradition and intense spirituality. This Hindu temple Sabarimala is dedicated to god Ayyappa who is known as the son of Vishnu and Shiva (Harihara).

The front view of Sabarimala Temple.
A traditional and a spiritual temple.
Sabarimala Temple: Front View

Additionally Every year, millions of devotees begin on this arduous journey, braving the wilderness and mountains, to seek the blessings of Lord Ayyappa. Mountains and dense forests surround Sabarimala, believed to be the place where Ayyappan meditated. However, the temple’s rituals and sanctity intersect with a complex web of cultural significance, age-old traditions, and modern-day controversies, drawing several debates and national attention.

Sacred Journey Towards Divine Temple

The sacred journey to Sabarimala Temple is a unique spiritual experience that symbolizes devotion, discipline, and self-purification. Ayyappa Swamis are the devotees of Lord Ayyappa. Moreover, these pilgrims visit the temple every year during the months from November to January, a period known as the Mandala Season.

The sacred temple sabarimala worship god ayyappa who is the child vishnu and shiva(Hari hara).
God Ayyappa: Son of Lord Vishnu and Shiva(Harihara)

If you are not a pilgrim, the best time to visit the temple is from February to October. However, pilgrims consider the Mandala Season the ideal time. Importantly, the journey is not merely a physical trek but a transformative ritual that begins with a 41-day varata (penance). During this time, devotees follow strict practices of chastity, vegetarianism, abstinence from worldly pleasures, and wear distinctive black or blue attire to signify simplicity and detachment.

Every pilgrim crosses the dense forest to visit Lord Ayyappa, chanting “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.” The final destination is the sanctum of Lord Ayyappa, nestled at the top of the Sabarimala hills.

TRADITIONS OF SABARIMALA TEMPLE

The Sabarimala Temple exemplifies the blend of various religious traditions within India. Its practices reflect a fusion of Hindu beliefs, folk traditions, and tribal customs. The forest trek incorporates ancient tribal rites, while the worship of Lord Ayyappa, the temple’s main deity, signifies central Hindu devotion. Known also as Dharmasastha and Manikandan, he represents a bridge between Shaivism and Vaishnavism as the son of Shiva and Vishnu. Thus, his figure embodies a harmonious blend of these two significant traditions in Hinduism.

The image of lord Ayyappa and the temple before 1950
Lord Ayyappa Temple before 1950

The unique tradition and rituals include:

  • Neyyabhishekam:A ghee bath for the immortal idol, Lord Ayyappa, symbolizes devotion and self-surrender. Devotees carry ghee in a coconut called Neythenga. The Neyyabhishekam is a crucial offering to Lord Ayyappa, performed by devotees and swamis on Makara Sankranti. They also present an irumudi, a travel kit for temple devotees, which includes ghee in coconut shells to conclude their Deeksha.
Devotees carrying offerings for lord Ayyappa
Devotees carrying offerings to the temple
  • Mandala-Makaravilakku Pilgrimage: The annual pilgrimage during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season (November to January) attracts devotees from across India. These pilgrims observe rituals and practices that symbolize spiritual cleansing, devotion, and faith in Lord Ayyappa’s blessings.
  • 41-Day Penance (Vratha): Before boarding on the pilgrimage, devotees observe a 41-day reparation known as Vratham. This involves refraining from meat, alcohol, and indulgences, maintaining sexual abstention, and practicing purity of mind and body. The discipline represents spiritual preparation for the pilgrimage.
  • Dress Code and Simplicity: Devotees wear black or blue clothes, refrain from shaving, and walk barefoot as symbols of simplicity. This dress code signifies equality among all pilgrims.
The dress code for the temple is pure black because the god Ayyappa is known to be as bhramachari
Dress code for visiting Temple
  • Women’s Age Restriction: As part of its unique traditions, the temple restricts entry to women aged between 10 and 50 years, based on the belief that Lord Ayyappa is a celibate deity (Brahmachari). This longstanding tradition has become a subject of contemporary debate.
  •  Harivarasanam Ritual: At the end of each day’s worship, the temple closes with the singing of the sacred song, “Harivarasanam,” dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. This song is a revered part of the temple tradition, offering a peaceful and divine conclusion to the day’s rituals.

The Traditions at the Sabarimala temple truly highlights the tribal culture of Kerela. The temple tradition emphasize on the devotion and spiritual discipline .

Controversies On Sabarimala Temple

Women’s Entry

The restriction for women’s entry inside the temple is a huge controversy that buzz like a broken record all over the nation. From 1991 to 2018, women and girls between the ages of 10 and 50 were legally prohibited from entering the temple. In 2018, the Supreme Court of India ruled to allow women of all ages entry to the Sabarimala temple, igniting widespread protests from traditionalists who claimed the verdict violated centuries-old customs. The debate has since become a symbol of the clash between religious tradition and gender equality in India. Read more>>>

The protest against the rule that women cannot enter the temple before 2018. before 2018 the entry of women is highly prohibited.
Protest of women against the rule of not entering the temple before 2018

Crowed Rush

The over crowed at sabarimala temple. every year between October to February thousands and thousands people arrives to seek blessings from god aayappa
Over crowed at Sabarimala temple

Crowed rush is another huge disaster that underlines a huge question towards the community and the temple. During the annual pilgrimage near by 106 were killed and more than 100 got injured. The incident is declared as “ National Disaster”. Read more>>>

disaster crowed at Sabarimala temple that leads to 106 deaths and more than 100 people  injured
Disaster Crowed at Sabarimala Temple

The Sabarimala controversy highlights broader societal tensions between evolving legal frameworks and deep-rooted cultural beliefs, symbolizing India’s ongoing struggle to balance tradition with modernity. The resolution of this issue will likely shape future discussions on religious practices and gender equality in the country.

Conclusion

The Sabarimala Temple symbolizes deep religious traditions and a sacred journey of devotion, yet remains at the heart of controversy over gender restrictions. Balancing its ancient customs with modern demands for equality poses a challenge to India’s cultural and legal frameworks.

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